Incumbents retain Franklin City Council seats

FRANKLIN — Ward 3 City Councilman Gregory "Goldie" McLemore edged out challengers Rosa Lawrence and Jamaal Brian Whitehurst with 46.2 percent of the vote in Tuesday's election, according to complete unofficial returns from the State Board of Elections.

McLemore, an outspoken member of council for four years, received 122 votes to Lawrence's 105.

Lawrence, a teacher and barber who previously held the seat, got 39.8 percent of the vote. Whitehurst, a mental health counselor and pastor, finished with 12.5 percent.

In Ward 5, incumbent Mary Hilliard earned another term after 26 years on City Council with 61.1 percent of the vote but by a vote total of 151 to 96. Challenger Ricky Sykes, who said he was encouraged to run by people who said they wanted a change, took 38.9 percent of the ballots.

In Ward 6, Frank Rabil ran unopposed for the seat of Councilman Don Blythe, who has been unable to serve since 2012 for medical reasons. Rabil took 97.7 percent of the ballots.

Mayor Raystine Johnson-Ashburn ran for re-election unopposed. She has served on City Council for nearly 13 years. Johnson-Ashburn, whose family owns a Franklin funeral home, took 81.2 percent of the vote with a total of 791 votes. Write-in candidates received 183 votes.